As the deadline for the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025) retention list approaches, all ten franchises are busy finalizing their combinations. According to reports, Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) will not be able to retain captain and wicketkeeper KL Rahul in the upcoming season of the T20 tournament.
The last date to submit the save list for IPL 2025 is October 31. BCCI allows each team to retain up to five players and there is also a ‘Eligibility’ option. There are reports that the mega auction later this year could feature several star players.
KL Rahul will be released by Lucknow Super Giants
There is growing uncertainty over KL Rahul’s future with Lucknow Super Giants. According to reports, Rahul did not get support from the LSG management before the retention period. The Indian cricketer is expected to part ways with LSG and explore opportunities with other teams in the IPL.
According to Times of India report, LSG mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer analyzed KL Rahul’s performance last season. Zaheer and Langer believed that the wicketkeeper-batsman hurt the team with his batting and low strike rate.
“The LSG management, including coach Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer, analyzed his statistics and it was found that the team lost almost all the matches in which KL batted and scored long. This shows that his strike rate is not suitable for him. .The speed of the game makes the points even higher with the Impact Player rule, you can’t afford someone to spend that much time on top of the order,” he said.
KL Rahul’s LSG failed to make the top four in the IPL 2024 season. LSG finished seventh with seven wins in 14 matches. Rahul faced criticism for his leadership, especially after the heavy 10-wicket loss to Sunrisers Hyderabad. He had an animated conversation with franchise owner Sanjiv Goenka.
KL Rahul for Lucknow Super Giants in IPL
| year | M | I | NO | Escape | HS | Ave | 100 | 50 | SR | 6p |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 15 | 15 | 3 | 616 | 103* | 51.33 | 2 | 4 | 135.38 | 30 |
| 2023 | 9 | 9 | 1 | 274 | 74 | 34.25 | 0 | 2 | 113.22 | 4 |
| 2024 | 14 | 14 | 0 | 520 | 82 | 37.14 | 0 | 4 | 136.12 | 19 |
| Total | 38 | 38 | 4 | 1410 | 103* | 41.47 | 2 | 10 | 130.67 | 53 |
Mayank Yadav can be retained by LSG for IPL 2025
Emerging fast bowler Mayank Yadav is expected to be retained by LSG. Mayank is probably one of the top three picks of the franchise. However, LSG has not completely ruled out a bid for Rahul during the auction. The Super Giants can retain wicket-takers like Ayush Badoni and Mohsin Khan.
“Mayank is a find for LSG. They invested in him when nobody knew about him and he has shown how he can impact a match,” the report further read.
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 are reportedly unlikely to retain captain and wicketkeeper-batter KL Rahul for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League (IPL 2025).){kind=link}